The question of whether you can flat tow a 2023 Bronco Sport behind a Recreational Vehicle (RV) is a common one among outdoor enthusiasts and RV owners. As experts at cardiagnosticnearme.com, specializing in auto repair and vehicle knowledge, we’ve investigated this topic to provide you with a definitive answer and crucial information regarding your 2023 Bronco Sport and towing.
For those unfamiliar, “flat towing” or “dinghy towing” refers to towing a vehicle with all four wheels on the ground directly behind another vehicle, like an RV. It’s a convenient method for bringing a secondary vehicle along on your travels. However, not all vehicles are designed for this type of towing, and attempting it with the wrong vehicle can lead to significant damage.
So, can you flat tow a 2023 Bronco Sport? Let’s dive into the details.
The Straight Answer: 2023 Bronco Sport Is Not Designed for Flat Towing
According to Ford’s official documentation, the 2023 Bronco Sport is not designed for flat towing (recreational towing with all four wheels down). Attempting to flat tow your 2023 Bronco Sport will cause severe damage to the drivetrain and transmission.
The reason behind this restriction lies in the Bronco Sport’s All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system. When flat towing an AWD vehicle, all wheels are rotating simultaneously. Without the engine running to properly lubricate and manage the power distribution within the drivetrain and transmission, internal components can overheat and suffer irreparable damage.
To illustrate this point, here’s an excerpt from a Bronco Sport manual, which clearly outlines the recreational towing guidelines:
Image alt text: Screenshot from a Bronco Sport manual highlighting the section on Recreational Towing, explicitly stating that flat towing (all four wheels down) is not permitted due to potential damage to the drivetrain and transmission.
As you can see, the manufacturer explicitly advises against flat towing the Bronco Sport. Therefore, for recreational towing purposes, the 2023 Bronco Sport must be transported on a car-hauling trailer. This method ensures all four wheels are off the ground, preventing any stress or damage to the vehicle’s sensitive systems.
Understanding Emergency Towing and the Manual Park Release
While flat towing for recreation is a definite no-go, the Bronco Sport manual does mention “Emergency Towing” procedures. In emergency situations where your vehicle needs to be moved a short distance, there’s a feature called the Manual Park Release.
This system is designed to manually disengage the parking mechanism, allowing the vehicle to be rolled in neutral. It’s important to understand that this feature is strictly for emergency situations and not a solution for flat towing behind an RV.
The manual park release procedure involves accessing a cable located behind a small panel near the steering column. Here are the steps outlined in the manual:
Image alt text: Diagram from the Bronco Sport manual illustrating the first steps of the manual park release procedure, showing the location of the access panel and the initial action to take.
Image alt text: Diagram from the Bronco Sport manual continuing the illustration of the manual park release procedure, detailing the cable pull and subsequent steps to release the park mechanism.
Following these steps allows you to temporarily move the vehicle if it’s immobilized. However, it’s crucial to reiterate that this is for short-distance, low-speed emergency towing only and should not be confused with or used for recreational flat towing behind an RV.
Investigating the Manual Park Release in a 2023 Bronco Sport
Intrigued by the manual park release feature, we decided to physically examine a 2023 Bronco Sport to locate this cable. Upon removing the small access panel, similar to the process described in the manual and observed in earlier Bronco Sport models like the 2021 version, we made an interesting discovery.
Here’s the access panel location on a Bronco Sport:
Image alt text: Close-up photo showing the location of the small access panel in the driver’s side footwell area of a Bronco Sport, which conceals the manual park release cable.
Removing the panel on a 2021 Bronco Sport reveals the cable as described:
Image alt text: Photo taken after removing the access panel on a 2021 Bronco Sport, clearly showing the manual park release cable mechanism behind the panel.
However, when we checked a 2023 Bronco Sport, specifically one used as a lead vehicle at the Overland Expo PNW Bronco Nation Basecamp, we found the area behind the panel to be empty, with no cable present:
Image alt text: Photo showing the area behind the access panel on a 2023 Bronco Sport, revealing that the manual park release cable is absent in this particular model.
This raises questions about whether the manual park release cable has been removed in the 2023 Bronco Sport models or if it was potentially missing in this specific vehicle. It’s something for 2023 Bronco Sport owners to check and be aware of.
The Future of Bronco Sport Flat Towing
While currently, the 2023 Bronco Sport cannot be flat towed, Ford is aware of the demand for this capability within the RV and overlanding community. Perhaps future model years might see design changes that allow for recreational flat towing. For now, if you need to flat tow a Ford vehicle, the larger Bronco (non-Sport) is capable of being flat towed. You can read more about it here: 2021-2022 Bronco Flat Tow Issue and Fix.
Conclusion: Trailer Your 2023 Bronco Sport for RV Adventures
In conclusion, the 2023 Ford Bronco Sport cannot be flat towed behind an RV. Attempting to do so will likely result in significant and costly damage to your vehicle’s drivetrain and transmission. For recreational towing, always use a car-hauling trailer to transport your Bronco Sport.
The manual park release feature, while present in some models, is strictly for emergency towing situations and should not be used for recreational flat towing. Always consult your owner’s manual for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding your specific vehicle and towing guidelines. Stay safe and enjoy your adventures!
